Motion For Service By Publication {ES-18}

FORM ES.18 – MOTION FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION. This form from the Probate Court of Summit County, Ohio, is used when a party in a probate case is unable to locate an individual who must be served with legal documents. The motion allows the requesting party to ask the court for permission to serve the documents through publication in a newspaper, typically because all reasonable efforts to locate the person have failed. The form requires the movant to provide the last known addresses of the individuals to be served and to detail the steps taken to try to find them—such as checking public records, contacting known associates, or searching social media. An affidavit is included to affirm that these efforts were made in good faith and with due diligence. If the court finds the efforts sufficient, it may grant the motion and authorize service by publication in the Akron Legal News for three consecutive weeks. Alternatively, the court may deny the request or set a hearing to further evaluate the matter. The form also informs the movant that if the court chooses to conduct its own search through systems like the Ohio Courts Network (OCN), they may be asked to provide additional identifying information. www.FormsWorkflow.com